Five running dads that we could see competing at the Rio Olympics
With Father's Day on Sunday and the Rio Olympics less than two months away, here are five running dads that we could see competing at the August Games.
Father’s Day is just two days away and the Rio Olympics are fast approaching. In Canada, Olympic hopefuls will look to qualify for Rio July 7-10 at the national track and field championships in Edmonton to book their ticket to the August Games. For some, that means balancing training commitments with father time.
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Here are five running dads that have the Olympic standard or have already qualified for their respective countries to compete at the Games which begin on Aug. 5 and conclude on Aug. 21.
Meb Keflezighi – U.S.
A father of three daughters, Meb Keflezighi qualified for the U.S. Olympic team by finishing second behind Galen Rupp (also a father) at the U.S. Trials in Los Angeles in February. He will compete in the men’s marathon.
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Eric Gillis – Canada
Guelph, Ont.-based Eric Gillis, a father of two, is on track to represent Canada at his second Olympics this summer in Rio in the men’s marathon. He represented Canada at the 2012 Olympics and is one of the country’s fastest ever marathon runners.
Wesley Korir – Kenya
The 2012 Boston marathon winner and member of Team Kenya for the Rio Olympics is married to Canadian Tarah Korir. He helped pace his wife at the Ottawa marathon.
Like father like the son!! Always having fun !! pic.twitter.com/kdz98ExEU6
— Hon wesley korir (@weskorir) April 16, 2016
Nate Brannen – Canada
One of Canada’s fastest 1,500m runners, Nate Brannen, 33, competed at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and looks to make it three-in-a-row in Rio.
Future @Furman_Elite all-stars in training! pic.twitter.com/tPGN9ZdjGp
— Nate Brannen (@natebrannen) June 11, 2016
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Alex Genest – Canada
Alex Genest has the Canadian Olympic standard in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase and is looking to finish in the top-two or be the fastest non-automatic qualifier at the Olympic Trials in July to book his ticket to Rio. Below is Genest’s son attempting the stair jump challenge.
@CBCOlympics @TeamCanada @EzinneOkparaebo @AndrewWheating @AshtonJEaton My son tried it!! #2steps #InspiredLearning pic.twitter.com/hMva2NdhZq
— Alex Genest (@papaG_steeple) January 9, 2016
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